Page 187 of Barbi and the Villain

“Why do I feel like we’re watching a telenovela?” I whisper to Nykander.

“What is that?”

“It’s a TV show where there is plot twist after plot twist and never-ending drama. You know it’s terrible, but you can’t stop watching.”

He nods thoughtfully.

“You are right. This is terrible, but I cannot stop watching.”

“Hey!” Thea turns to Nykander, at the same time as Cer pins him with his deathly glare. “How dare you say that? Cer, go win that fight!” she instructs him. “Do you want me to take the female? I have gotten quite good at cat fighting as they call it in the human world. Remember what I did to that foxy lady?” She wiggles her brows up and down.

“Thea. I do not need your help. In fact, please leave. You will only make matters worse.”

“Why don’t we all agree not to fight?” I chime in. “We can go on our merry way and you can attend that ball or whatever. It’s a win-win situation.”

“She has a point, Cer. Do you even have a proper suit for tomorrow?” Thea nods, her features grave. “You cannot show up in an old suit. What will people say? That awful Elora already has it out for me. The last thing I need is for the entire court to laugh at me for having an unfashionable brother. They already laugh at me for other things.” She sighs. “That’s it. You’re coming with me. Finish your fight and we’re going home so you can get fitted for a new suit.”

“Thea—”

“Thea this, Thea that. Do you even know how to say something else?”

“She’s right.” Nykander and I nod.

“No one asked you.” Cer rolls his eyes.

“Look, we battled, no one won, so let us call it a day. The ladies are right. We have better things to do than blow holes through each other.”

“But you are a demon,” Cer states mechanically.

“Is he, really? He’s never turned a soul into a demon. He’s quite a good person by those standards, which is ironic considering his nickname is the Dark One. But he is really not that bad. And we have kids together—erm, dogs. Can you really leave my dogs without a father?” I pout.

“You have dogs?” Thea blinks, coming closer.

“Thea. It is not the moment,” Cer mentions from behind.

She doesn’t mind him, though, shushing him with her hand as she comes toward me.

“Can I see them? I love dogs. My friend has a wagyu cow that she named Belinda, but she’ll unfortunately leave soon to better pastures and all that.” She waves her hand.

“Greener pastures, Thea,” Cer corrects her.

“Same thing.”

“You must promise you will not harm them in any shape or form,” I add suspiciously.

“Of course! Cer will promise too. You will, won’t you, Cer?”

Cer glares at her.

“You will, will you not, my darling Cerenios?” Thea bats her eyes at him.

He mutters something under his breath, which I believe counts as a yes.

“Yes! Can I please see the dogs now?”

Nykander and I glance at each other, and he shakes his head.

“She seems nice,” I whisper.

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